Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it; but if he did anything so that he may do it no more.A hasty quarrel kindles fire,and urgent strife sheds blood.If you blow on a spark, it will glow;if you spit on it, it will be put out; and both come out of your mouth

I'm not sure what the big problem is with Russians in the Holy Land. As someone said, if the Patriarch of Jerusalem doesn't have a problem with them, then why do you? They are there, as previously mentioned, with the pleasure and blessing of the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Are you saying that the Russians in the Holy Land should go elsewhere? I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish or what you are arguing. First your talking about Jerusalem and then pogroms and popularity so I really don't know what you want to done in this thread. I don't really see anything in this thread other than trying to get across that Russians are bad or something.

Ozgeorge, I don't pretend to understand everything in this thread, but Russian Jews, they are everywhere in this part of the world. You'd be surprised to know that, when discussing religion, most of them lapse very naturally into Russian Orthodox lingo-indeed far more naturally than Jewish terminology. I've never met a one amongst the multitudes of recent immigrants who has expressed any animosity towards the Orthodox Church per se.

ETA: I lied. I did meet one Russian Jewish woman who complained to me that the ROC was "monoethnic" and therefore, hard for her to penetrate as a (poor) Russian Jew. However, she was wearing on her finger a Russian Orthodox "spasi i sokhrani" ring and, although she had left the ROC informally, she was, nevertheless, attending another Christian denomination and was not a practising Jew.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Who can watch the watchmen?"No one is paying attention to your post reports"Why do posters that claim to have me blocked keep sending me pms and responding to my posts? That makes no sense.

They are there, as previously mentioned, with the pleasure and blessing of the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

I think I'd like to see something from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to support this claim other than a post on a discussion forum with nothing to back it up.

What would make you think that it is not the case? Do you have anything from the Patriarchate saying otherwise? I want to see something that proves your case that the Patriarch does not want the Russians there. Have you read something that would suggest the Patriarch has a problem with the Russians?

For it were better to suffer everything, rather than divide the Church of God. Even martyrdom for the sake of preventing division would not be less glorious than for refusing to worship idols. - St. Dionysius the Great

The two bishops in the photos in case you do not know is the Patriarch of Jerusalem and Bishop Peter of Cleavland (ROCOR) who happen to be friends which was taken during the ROCOR pilgimage in 2007. If the Patriarch had a problem with these Russians, why meet with them in a loving manner and give them their blessing? ROCOR bishops have also concelebrated with Jurusalem bishops (I can get a photo of that also if you wish).

I can't help feeling that your goal is just to cause trouble for the sake of causing trouble, and it seems rather inconceivable.

This whole thread was started by you to promote the idea that the Russians are doing something shady in the Holy Land. To date, you've been unable to provide any evidence of that, and yet you continue to make snide and uncharitable remarks, and seem disappointed when you find out that people aren't bitter and aren't holding historical grudges. Why?

The fact of the matter is, unless you have evidence that something shady *is* going on, it is uncharitable and slanderous of you to imply that it is. A person is not guilty until proven innocent; they are innocent until proven guilty.

It would be ridiculous of me to say that you beat little children and torture kittens and then insist that until you can somehow provide evidence that you've never done that, we should all assume that you have.

So likewise, when all the evidence seems to point to nothing bad going on, can you give it a rest and stop bringing up really old historical pictures of pogroms, ignoring the many positive examples of Russian/Jewish interaction, and making bitter and sarcastic remarks?

I'm not sure what the big problem is with Russians in the Holy Land. As someone said, if the Patriarch of Jerusalem doesn't have a problem with them, then why do you? They are there, as previously mentioned, with the pleasure and blessing of the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Are you saying that the Russians in the Holy Land should go elsewhere? I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish or what you are arguing. First your talking about Jerusalem and then pogroms and popularity so I really don't know what you want to done in this thread. I don't really see anything in this thread other than trying to get across that Russians are bad or something.

I agree with you. There seems to be something that is really bugging Ozgeorge and that thing, whatever it is, is different than the issue at hand. I hope and pray that this thing will resolve itself and that Ozgeorge will get better.

Btw, the graffitti just says "Death to Christians" not "Death to Russians" nor "Death to the Orthodox." For all we know, the writer can't tell the difference between a Pentacostal and the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

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Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it; but if he did anything so that he may do it no more.A hasty quarrel kindles fire,and urgent strife sheds blood.If you blow on a spark, it will glow;if you spit on it, it will be put out; and both come out of your mouth

Btw, the graffitti just says "Death to Christians" not "Death to Russians" nor "Death to the Orthodox." For all we know, the writer can't tell the difference between a Pentacostal and the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Except that the Russian Cathedral is in the Russian Compound of Jerusalem. The target seems clear.

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If you're living a happy life as a Christian, you're doing something wrong.

Btw, the graffitti just says "Death to Christians" not "Death to Russians" nor "Death to the Orthodox." For all we know, the writer can't tell the difference between a Pentacostal and the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Except that the Russian Cathedral is in the Russian Compound of Jerusalem. The target seems clear.

George, what the heck is the matter with you? Do you remember a few years back when one of the Ec. Patriarchate's churches was set on fire in Istanbul and the sexton was murdered and thrown down the church well? None of us delighted in that. None of us said: See how welcome the Greeks are in Istanbul.

I guess you are still feeling the effects of the swine flu and you are feeling testy. Much sympathy and prayers for your recovery.

Btw, the graffitti just says "Death to Christians" not "Death to Russians" nor "Death to the Orthodox." For all we know, the writer can't tell the difference between a Pentacostal and the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Except that the Russian Cathedral is in the Russian Compound of Jerusalem. The target seems clear.

George, what the heck is the matter with you? Do you remember a few years back when one of the Ec. Patriarchate's churches was set on fire in Istanbul and the sexton was murdered and thrown down the church well? None of us delighted in that. None of us said: See how welcome the Greeks are in Istanbul.

I guess you are still feeling the effects of the swine flu and you are feeling testy. Much sympathy and prayers for your recovery.

Why the histrionics? Who is taking delight in what has happened to the Russian Cathedral? I am merely questioning isalmisry's earlier point on this thread that the Russian Orthodox are "popular" in Israel and Palestine. Clearly, they are not.Just chillax.

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If you're living a happy life as a Christian, you're doing something wrong.

Btw, the graffitti just says "Death to Christians" not "Death to Russians" nor "Death to the Orthodox." For all we know, the writer can't tell the difference between a Pentacostal and the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Except that the Russian Cathedral is in the Russian Compound of Jerusalem. The target seems clear.

George, what the heck is the matter with you? Do you remember a few years back when one of the Ec. Patriarchate's churches was set on fire in Istanbul and the sexton was murdered and thrown down the church well? None of us delighted in that. None of us said: See how welcome the Greeks are in Istanbul.

I guess you are still feeling the effects of the swine flu and you are feeling testy. Much sympathy and prayers for your recovery.

Why the histrionics? Who is taking delight in what has happened to the Russian Cathedral? I am merely questioning isalmisry's earlier point on this thread that the Russian Orthodox are "popular" in Israel and Palestine. Clearly, they are not.Just chillax.

And I had believed that something serious was going on that had caused you to behave so--kind of reflected pain. Oh well, clearly you are unrepentant and intend to continue to be ugly and mean. So, prayers are still in order: Lord have mercy on Thy servant George.

I too hope you're feeling better, George. I know from sad personal experience that when I am deeply troubled about some personal issue I tend to lash out at others. It requires constant humility and contrition to surrender to the harshness of reality sometimes.

Btw, the graffitti just says "Death to Christians" not "Death to Russians" nor "Death to the Orthodox." For all we know, the writer can't tell the difference between a Pentacostal and the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Except that the Russian Cathedral is in the Russian Compound of Jerusalem. The target seems clear.

George, what the heck is the matter with you? Do you remember a few years back when one of the Ec. Patriarchate's churches was set on fire in Istanbul and the sexton was murdered and thrown down the church well? None of us delighted in that. None of us said: See how welcome the Greeks are in Istanbul.

I guess you are still feeling the effects of the swine flu and you are feeling testy. Much sympathy and prayers for your recovery.

Why the histrionics? Who is taking delight in what has happened to the Russian Cathedral? I am merely questioning isalmisry's earlier point on this thread that the Russian Orthodox are "popular" in Israel and Palestine. Clearly, they are not.Just chillax.

And I had believed that something serious was going on that had caused you to behave so--kind of reflected pain. Oh well, clearly you are unrepentant and intend to continue to be ugly and mean. So, prayers are still in order: Lord have mercy on Thy servant George.

Thanks for your prayers for my ugly meanness. You're such a good friend.

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If you're living a happy life as a Christian, you're doing something wrong.

Btw, the graffitti just says "Death to Christians" not "Death to Russians" nor "Death to the Orthodox." For all we know, the writer can't tell the difference between a Pentacostal and the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Except that the Russian Cathedral is in the Russian Compound of Jerusalem. The target seems clear.

George, what the heck is the matter with you? Do you remember a few years back when one of the Ec. Patriarchate's churches was set on fire in Istanbul and the sexton was murdered and thrown down the church well? None of us delighted in that. None of us said: See how welcome the Greeks are in Istanbul.

I guess you are still feeling the effects of the swine flu and you are feeling testy. Much sympathy and prayers for your recovery.

Why the histrionics? Who is taking delight in what has happened to the Russian Cathedral? I am merely questioning isalmisry's earlier point on this thread that the Russian Orthodox are "popular" in Israel and Palestine. Clearly, they are not.Just chillax.

Well, it is the Greek clergy who are always moaning that they are being spat on in Israel. How popular is that!?

Btw, the graffitti just says "Death to Christians" not "Death to Russians" nor "Death to the Orthodox." For all we know, the writer can't tell the difference between a Pentacostal and the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Except that the Russian Cathedral is in the Russian Compound of Jerusalem. The target seems clear.

George, what the heck is the matter with you? Do you remember a few years back when one of the Ec. Patriarchate's churches was set on fire in Istanbul and the sexton was murdered and thrown down the church well? None of us delighted in that. None of us said: See how welcome the Greeks are in Istanbul.

I guess you are still feeling the effects of the swine flu and you are feeling testy. Much sympathy and prayers for your recovery.

Why the histrionics? Who is taking delight in what has happened to the Russian Cathedral? I am merely questioning isalmisry's earlier point on this thread that the Russian Orthodox are "popular" in Israel and Palestine. Clearly, they are not.Just chillax.

Well, it is the Greek clergy who are always moaning that they are being spat on in Israel. How popular is that!?

Why are you tuning this into a Greeks vs. Russians thing?I know you think the Russian will eventually take over the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and ialmisry believes this also because he thinks Russian Orthodoxy is popular among the Israelis, but the reality is that neither the Greeks nor the Russians are popular.What I'm interested in though is your hopes for a Russian takeover of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Isn't the upcoming Russian takeover of Constantinople which you often go on about enough for you ?

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If you're living a happy life as a Christian, you're doing something wrong.

It is the way you structured this thread in your opening post which has taken us down this road.

Quote

What I'm interested in though is your hopes for a Russian takeover of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

What a strange view of it! THESE ARE JEWS who have come from the old Soviet Union to the Holy Land. It will be the JEWS reclaiming the throne of Saint James the Brother of the Lord. It will be a JEW who will sit on the cathedra and rule the Church of Jerusalem. May it happen tomorrow! May the Holy City cease to be ruled by foreign imported clergy and may it become Jewish again! May the sound of Hebrew psalms reverberate in our churches.

What I'm interested in though is your hopes for a Russian takeover of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

What a strange view of it! THESE ARE JEWS who have come from the old Soviet Union to the Holy Land. It will be the JEWS reclaiming the throne of Saint James the Brother of the Lord. It will be a JEW who will sit on the cathedra and rule the Church of Jerusalem. May it happen tomorrow! May the Holy City cease to be ruled by foreign imported clergy and may it become Jewish again! May the sound of Hebrew psalms reverberate in our churches.

Russian Jews isn't it? You said so yourself. Non-Russian Jews won't cut it for you. But personally, I'd rather see Christians on the throne of Jerusalem.

« Last Edit: December 30, 2009, 08:41:15 PM by ozgeorge »

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If you're living a happy life as a Christian, you're doing something wrong.

What I'm interested in though is your hopes for a Russian takeover of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

What a strange view of it! THESE ARE JEWS who have come from the old Soviet Union to the Holy Land. It will be the JEWS reclaiming the throne of Saint James the Brother of the Lord. It will be a JEW who will sit on the cathedra and rule the Church of Jerusalem. May it happen tomorrow! May the Holy City cease to be ruled by foreign imported clergy and may it become Jewish again! May the sound of Hebrew psalms reverberate in our churches.

Russian Jews isn't it? You said so yourself. Non-Russian Jews won't cut it for you. But personally, I'd rather see Christians on the throne of Jerusalem.

What have you got against Russian Jews?

Are there any other Christian Jews in the Holy City in sufficient numbers to reclaim the original Jewish Church of Jerusalem, to stop it being merely an artifical creation propped up and ruled by clergy imported from other lands? Why do you think God has brought such numbers of Christian Jews to Israel from the old Soviet Union?

You do not like the thought of the Church of Costantinople being ruled by non-Greeks? Why should Jerusalem be ruled by non-Jews?

Well, obviously a religious Jew won't be on the throne but a Christian just like St. James the Just, St. Simeon, and the other ethnicly Jewish patriarchs who ruled the throne in the beginning of the Church. What do you think? How about a Palestinian? Would you have a problem with that? Does it have to be a Greek? Does the Greek flag need to fly in Palestine?

You do not like the thought of the Church of Costantinople being ruled by non-Greeks? Why should Jerusalem be ruled by non-Jews?

Well, I also think that Palestinians also should be able to sit on the throne since it is also their home, not to mention that they make up the majority of Orthodox under the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

You do not like the thought of the Church of Costantinople being ruled by non-Greeks? Why should Jerusalem be ruled by non-Jews?

Well, I also think that Palestinians also should be able to sit on the throne since it is also their home, not to mention that they make up the majority of Orthodox under the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The majority of the Patriarchate is now Jews. These are the Christian Jews who have come from the former Soviet Union.

"Russian-speaking Orthodox believers today outnumber Orthodox Arabs in the Jerusalem Patriarchate -- according to Metropolitan Timothy, the Jerusalem patriarchate's Secretary General. Some statistics indicate 300,000 Russian Orthodox while others state no more than 150,000. In either case, they outnumber the Arab Orthodox faithful."

What I'm interested in though is your hopes for a Russian takeover of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

What a strange view of it! THESE ARE JEWS who have come from the old Soviet Union to the Holy Land. It will be the JEWS reclaiming the throne of Saint James the Brother of the Lord. It will be a JEW who will sit on the cathedra and rule the Church of Jerusalem. May it happen tomorrow! May the Holy City cease to be ruled by foreign imported clergy and may it become Jewish again! May the sound of Hebrew psalms reverberate in our churches.

Russian Jews isn't it? You said so yourself. Non-Russian Jews won't cut it for you. But personally, I'd rather see Christians on the throne of Jerusalem.

What have you got against Russian Jews?

Nothing. I just think a Christian should be on the Throne of Jerusalem.

Are there any other Christian Jews in the Holy City in sufficient numbers to reclaim the original Jewish Church of Jerusalem, to stop it being merely an artifical creation propped up and ruled by clergy imported from other lands? Why do you think God has brought such numbers of Christian Jews to Israel from the old Soviet Union?

So the Palestinians have no right to sit on the Throne of Jerusalem? Why not?

You do not like the thought of the Church of Costantinople being ruled by non-Greeks?

What makes you think that? I would be quite happy for any Roman to sit on the throne of Constantinople. This would include all the Balkans (the Romoi), the Arabs (the Rum), and anyone else who is a descendant of those St. Constantine the Great granted the title "Roman" to.

You do not like the thought of the Church of Costantinople being ruled by non-Greeks? Why should Jerusalem be ruled by non-Jews?

Well, I also think that Palestinians also should be able to sit on the throne since it is also their home, not to mention that they make up the majority of Orthodox under the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The majority of the Patriarchate is now Jews. These are the Christian Jews who have come from the former Soviet Union.

"Russian-speaking Orthodox believers today outnumber Orthodox Arabs in the Jerusalem Patriarchate -- according to Metropolitan Timothy, the Jerusalem patriarchate's Secretary General. Some statistics indicate 300,000 Russian Orthodox while others state no more than 150,000. In either case, they outnumber the Arab Orthodox faithful."

Forgive me if I'm not understanding the issues, but why should race and numbers play any part in the matter instead of the right person for the job; seeing as this situation is a mix of Jews and Palestinians in any case?

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I believe in One God, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

You do not like the thought of the Church of Costantinople being ruled by non-Greeks?

What makes you think that? I would be quite happy for any Roman to sit on the throne of Constantinople. This would include all the Balkans (the Romoi), the Arabs (the Rum), and anyone else who is a descendant of those St. Constantine the Great granted the title "Roman" to.

This is the stupidest theory I have ever heard. What about asking the poeple of the Balkans and the Levant if they wish to be considered "Romoi" or "Rum" ? Most of us from the area have history burned into our genes: we have not appreciated nor will we ever abide Hellenization in any of its forms. Let me say it more plainly: I like Greek people and food and dances; I just don't want to be Greek or speak Greek.

Are there any other Christian Jews in the Holy City in sufficient numbers to reclaim the original Jewish Church of Jerusalem, to stop it being merely an artifical creation propped up and ruled by clergy imported from other lands? Why do you think God has brought such numbers of Christian Jews to Israel from the old Soviet Union?

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So the Palestinians have no right to sit on the Throne of Jerusalem? Why not?

The reason there has been no Palestinian elected as Patriarch is because of a repressive Greek policy of making sure that any Arab vocations are channelled into the village priesthood, that no Arabs bceome monks and no Arabs make it into the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre. The Patriarchate and the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre are virtually one and the same.

But there are been a dramatic shift in Orthodox demographics in the Holy Land. The Russian Christian Jews now outnumber the Arab Orthodox. They will not want to be shunted off into the village priesthood, they will not acept being excluded from the monastic life. They will not accept exclusion by the Greeks from the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre. In short there are much better odds of getting a Jewish Patriarch elected than an Arab. One may hope that the example of the Christian Jews will bring fresh strength to the rather passive Arab Orthodox who have accepted the hegemony of the foreign Greeks for centuries.

Forgive me if I'm not understanding the issues, but why should race and numbers play any part in the matter instead of the right person for the job; seeing as this situation is a mix of Jews and Palestinians in any case?

Are there any other Christian Jews in the Holy City in sufficient numbers to reclaim the original Jewish Church of Jerusalem, to stop it being merely an artifical creation propped up and ruled by clergy imported from other lands? Why do you think God has brought such numbers of Christian Jews to Israel from the old Soviet Union?

Quote

So the Palestinians have no right to sit on the Throne of Jerusalem? Why not?

The reason there has been no Palestinian elected as Patriarch is because of a repressive Greek policy of making sure that any Arab vocations are channelled into the village priesthood, that no Arabs bceome monks and no Arabs make it into the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre. The Patriarchate and the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre are virtually one and the same.

Really? I must tell that to the Archbishop of Sebastia who is a Palestinian born in Gaza.

They will not want to be shunted off into the village priesthood, they will not acept being excluded from the monastic life. They will not accept exclusion by the Greeks from the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre. In short there are much better odds of getting a Jewish Patriarch elected than an Arab. One may hope that the example of the Christian Jews will bring fresh strength to the rather passive Arab Orthodox who have accepted the hegemony of the foreign Greeks for centuries.

I realize how important race is for you. I hope your dream of the race you want to sit on the Throne of Jerusalem and Constantinople come true for you. I disagree though, because I'm a Christian in the Orthodox Church where there is neither Jew nor Greek...

« Last Edit: December 30, 2009, 09:56:26 PM by ozgeorge »

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If you're living a happy life as a Christian, you're doing something wrong.

Are there any other Christian Jews in the Holy City in sufficient numbers to reclaim the original Jewish Church of Jerusalem, to stop it being merely an artifical creation propped up and ruled by clergy imported from other lands? Why do you think God has brought such numbers of Christian Jews to Israel from the old Soviet Union?

Quote

So the Palestinians have no right to sit on the Throne of Jerusalem? Why not?

The reason there has been no Palestinian elected as Patriarch is because of a repressive Greek policy of making sure that any Arab vocations are channelled into the village priesthood, that no Arabs bceome monks and no Arabs make it into the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre. The Patriarchate and the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre are virtually one and the same.

Quote

Really? I must tell that to the Archbishop of Sebastia who is a Palestinian born in Gaza.

And you know full well that his election was an exception and a sop offered to the Palestinians by the Greek Patriarchate. The man is a horrible warmonger and should never have been made a bishop. His encouragement of suicide bombers etc, is far from Christian.

And you know full well that his election was an exception and a sop offered to the Palestinians by the Greek Patriarchate. The man is a horrible warmonger and should never have been made a bishop. His encouragement of suicide bombers etc, is far from Christian.

I think you need to back up your defamatory claims about a Bishop of the Orthodox Church.On second thoughts, don't bother. Anyone who thinks race should determine who should be a Bishop of the Church is hardly the kind of person I wan't to engage in discussion with.Have a happy new year. I hope your race-based dreams come true for you.

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If you're living a happy life as a Christian, you're doing something wrong.

I realize how important race is for you. I hope your dream of the race you want to sit on the Throne of Jerusalem and Constantinople come true for you. I disagree though, because I'm a Christian in the Orthodox Church where there is neither Jew nor Greek...

I'm an Irishman.

But there must be *some* difference between Greeks and Jews since we are told that Peter was sent to preach to the Jews and Paul to the Greeks.

And you know full well that his election was an exception and a sop offered to the Palestinians by the Greek Patriarchate. The man is a horrible warmonger and should never have been made a bishop. His encouragement of suicide bombers etc, is far from Christian.

I think you need to back up your defamatory claims about a Bishop of the Orthodox Church.

Pshaw! It was all over the Internet when Archimandrite Hanna expressed his approval of Palestinian suicide bombers killing Israelis. Don't tell me the horrifed reaction from the Orthodox world was not heard in Australia.

Anyone who thinks race should determine who should be a Bishop of the Church is hardly the kind of person I wan't to engage in discussion with.

Race seems to have been the determining factor in who becomes a bishop in the Jerusalem Church for centuries past, and prior to that also in the Syrian Church (now called Antiochian Church.) Did not your Church even go out of communion with the Antiochians when they refused to be ruled any longer by racially chosen Greek only bishops?

Btw, the graffitti just says "Death to Christians" not "Death to Russians" nor "Death to the Orthodox." For all we know, the writer can't tell the difference between a Pentacostal and the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Except that the Russian Cathedral is in the Russian Compound of Jerusalem. The target seems clear.

It has a Cross on it. It's all the same to the Jews. The first thing I saw getting off the bus was swastikas all over the Episcopal church, and I was shown the bullet holes in the Greek chapel on the Mount of Olives. Not clear at all, except anti-Christian.

Logged

Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it; but if he did anything so that he may do it no more.A hasty quarrel kindles fire,and urgent strife sheds blood.If you blow on a spark, it will glow;if you spit on it, it will be put out; and both come out of your mouth

What I'm interested in though is your hopes for a Russian takeover of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

What a strange view of it! THESE ARE JEWS who have come from the old Soviet Union to the Holy Land. It will be the JEWS reclaiming the throne of Saint James the Brother of the Lord. It will be a JEW who will sit on the cathedra and rule the Church of Jerusalem. May it happen tomorrow! May the Holy City cease to be ruled by foreign imported clergy and may it become Jewish again! May the sound of Hebrew psalms reverberate in our churches.

Russian Jews isn't it? You said so yourself. Non-Russian Jews won't cut it for you. But personally, I'd rather see Christians on the throne of Jerusalem.

What have you got against Russian Jews?

Are there any other Christian Jews in the Holy City in sufficient numbers to reclaim the original Jewish Church of Jerusalem, to stop it being merely an artifical creation propped up and ruled by clergy imported from other lands? Why do you think God has brought such numbers of Christian Jews to Israel from the old Soviet Union?

You do not like the thought of the Church of Costantinople being ruled by non-Greeks? Why should Jerusalem be ruled by non-Jews?

Because it is Palestinian.

Logged

Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it; but if he did anything so that he may do it no more.A hasty quarrel kindles fire,and urgent strife sheds blood.If you blow on a spark, it will glow;if you spit on it, it will be put out; and both come out of your mouth

You do not like the thought of the Church of Costantinople being ruled by non-Greeks? Why should Jerusalem be ruled by non-Jews?

Well, I also think that Palestinians also should be able to sit on the throne since it is also their home, not to mention that they make up the majority of Orthodox under the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The majority of the Patriarchate is now Jews. These are the Christian Jews who have come from the former Soviet Union.

"Russian-speaking Orthodox believers today outnumber Orthodox Arabs in the Jerusalem Patriarchate -- according to Metropolitan Timothy, the Jerusalem patriarchate's Secretary General. Some statistics indicate 300,000 Russian Orthodox while others state no more than 150,000. In either case, they outnumber the Arab Orthodox faithful."

Only in Palestine. The Patriarchate also includes Jordan (and now seems to be claiming jurisdicion in Qatar), which has about 300,000 Arab Orthodox.

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Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it; but if he did anything so that he may do it no more.A hasty quarrel kindles fire,and urgent strife sheds blood.If you blow on a spark, it will glow;if you spit on it, it will be put out; and both come out of your mouth

And you know full well that his election was an exception and a sop offered to the Palestinians by the Greek Patriarchate. The man is a horrible warmonger and should never have been made a bishop. His encouragement of suicide bombers etc, is far from Christian.

I think you need to back up your defamatory claims about a Bishop of the Orthodox Church.

Pshaw! It was all over the Internet when Archimandrite Hanna expressed his approval of Palestinian suicide bombers killing Israelis. Don't tell me the horrifed reaction from the Orthodox world was not heard in Australia.

I think you are spending too much time on the internet. That's the problem. He was arrested and interrogated by the Israelis and no charges were laid because the claims were false. It was plain and simple persecution of a Palestinian by the Israelis to try and prevent him being consecrated Bishop. Now if you have evidence to the contrary, kindly present it or post a public apology to Archbishop Theodosios for your libelous claim.

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If you're living a happy life as a Christian, you're doing something wrong.